A COUPLE whose bodies were found in a swollen river may have drowned trying to rescue a pet dog, police said today.

A member of the public spotted a woman's body on a sandbank in the River Clywedog, near Wrexham, North Wales, shortly after 5pm last night. It is understood the woman was a 27-year-old from the local area.

As a result of police searches, the body of a man was found in the river in the early hours of today.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Pierce told reporters the couple were seen earlier walking with five dogs.

Mr Pierce said: "At this time identifications have yet to be confirmed. We believe them to be a couple aged in their mid 20s and from the Wrexham area."

The officer said the couple were seen shortly before the alarm was raised walking together with five dogs.

He added: "The two deaths are unexplained but the likely scenario is at the moment that there was unfortunately a tragic accident.

"We believe the couple were here with dogs and at the time the river was swollen. The river level was at a higher level than it is at the moment.

"It's speculation to say whether or not the dogs have gone into the river and one or both of the couple have gone in to save the dogs. We haven't got a witness to confirm that."

He said the families of the victims were suffering a "huge amount of distress" as they prepare for formal identification.

"You can imagine the trauma and distress," he added.

A post-mortem examination is expected to take place tomorrow morning to establish the cause of death, he said, adding that the local coroner had been informed.